My Mum

Hi All,

I have no idea why I am doing this except to say that I wanted to go on record about what my mum meant to me. She died two weeks ago and I couldn't talk about it until now. On the day of her funeral I said a few words about her and someone recorded them. I thought I would just post my words here as a tribute to her and what she meant to me.

Mam was born in Cashel in 1929… She was the second oldest of eleven children borne to Jack and Amy Whyte. She grew up in Gortnakellis just outside Cashel. In her early teens she had to leave school to help her mother with their large family. She went to England and worked in hotels in Blackpool.

She met my dad John in 1956… They got married in 1959 and this year would be their 50th wedding anniversary. They have two children my brother John and me. We were brought up in Pearse Park on the Cashel road where they have lived all their lives. Both our parents worked hard all their life. My earliest memory of our mother was her working in McDermott’s fish and chip shop. She would peel potatoes in the morning and cook in the evening. At the same time she did house work for a number of families in the town. I never met anyone who would do what she did for us.

During our growing up years our house always seemed to be full of Aunts, uncles and cousins. Our weekends were full of music, song and dance. Sometimes to the annoyance of our neighbours. The Kavanaghs must have thought they were living next door to a ceili band. We would set up a bar under the stairs and listen to the singing and watch them all dancing.

In later years our mam worked for the sisters of charity. She would help to clean their house and cook the meals for the nuns. In later years she recounted a story of her first few days with the nuns. On her first day she cooked lunch for them and all seemed to go fine. She came home and told us they liked her food and had eaten everything on their plates. On the second day she gave them a little more to make sure they were well fed. Again they cleared their plates. On the third day she made even more food than before. However when lunch finally finished a number of the nuns were unable to return to their teaching duties at the school. They had to go to bed as they were ill. Mam was really upset that her food was not good enough. It was at that moment that the reverend mother explained to my mam that as they were the sisters of charity it was a sin for them to leave any food.

During the 1980s and 90s our mam and dad were well known in Munster for their exploits on the dance floor. They both loved it and would travel the country for a good set dance or waltzing competition. My dad thought he was best but she always reminded him that she had taught him.

Mam loved all her grand kids and great grand kids. You should also know she loved all of you to. Her neighbours in the Park. Her friends, and most importantly her family. She taught us so much growing up. How to cook, how to make a bed and how to behave. We hope we haven't disappointed her.

I never knew anyone who cared about money or possessions less. Her only concern was that her family were happy, healthy and loved each other. She should have been a nun. She is certainly a saint to us. We miss her and we will always love her. [/b]